The arrest of Justin Heath Smith, popularly known as Austin Wolf in the adult film industry, has been made by the New York police. Allegations state that the actor has been involved in the dissemination of pornographic content featuring minors, primarily through the messaging app Telegram, where he distributed “hundreds of videos.”
Damian Williams, the U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of New York, mentioned that the investigation into Smith’s actions is ongoing and urged individuals with relevant information to contact the FBI.
James Smith, the assistant director of the FBI in New York, highlighted the sensitivity of the content involved, emphasizing that it includes disturbing material such as images of young children and sexual assault.
Smith further emphasized in an interview with NBC New York that those who engage in the distribution of child sexual abuse imagery exploit the most vulnerable individuals in society, underscoring the profound impact it has on innocent victims.
Initiation of the investigation several months ago
The inception of the investigation can be traced back to March of this year when an FBI agent, using a fake profile, initiated communication with Austin Wolf on Telegram. During the ensuing conversations, despite Wolf’s attempt to conceal his identity, he eventually divulged his real persona.
In late April, a search was conducted at Wolf’s Manhattan residence by the FBI. The discovery of an SD card containing illicit material featuring underage individuals significantly bolstered the case. Wolf now faces a potential prison term ranging from five to twenty years following his arrest.